Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48361-48363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20488]



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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 25, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 48361]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0439; Product Identifier 2016-SW-074-AD; Amendment 
39-19409; AD 2018-19-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-03 for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. AD 
2017-14-03 required an inspection and reduced the retirement lives of 
certain landing gear components. This new AD retains the requirements 
of AD 2017-14-03, reduces the retirement lives of additional landing 
gear components, and requires repeating the inspection. This AD was 
prompted by a revised analysis of the fatigue life of the landing gear. 
The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 30, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 11, 
2017 (82 FR 34838, July 27, 2017).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact your local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service 
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email 
[email protected]. Operators may also log on to the 
Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0439.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0439; or in person at Docket 
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, any incorporated-by-
reference information, the economic evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-
647-5527) is Docket Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorie Resnik, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 
238-7693; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to remove AD 2017-14-03, Amendment 39-18947 (82 FR 34838, July 
27, 2017) (AD 2017-14-03) and add a new AD. AD 2017-14-03 applied to 
Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters and required inspecting and reducing 
the retirement lives of certain landing gear components. AD 2017-14-03 
was prompted by Sikorsky's updated fatigue analysis of the nose and 
main landing gear, which revealed that certain components required a 
reduced service life and one component required a repetitive visual and 
ultrasonic inspection. When we issued AD 2017-14-03, we determined that 
the age of the existing U.S. fleet and the compliance time for the 
repetitive inspection would allow enough time for notice and public 
comments on some actions.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2018 (83 FR 
22883). The NPRM proposed to retain the actions in AD 2017-14-03, 
reduce the life limits of additional components, and require repeating 
the visual and ultrasonic inspections. These actions are intended to 
detect and prevent cracks or failure of a landing gear component, which 
could result in damage and loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of this same type design and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Ultrasonic Inspection Technique No. UT 5077, Revision 
0, dated July 25, 2014 (UT 5077). UT 5077 contains the inspection 
method, equipment and materials, calibration, and inspection procedure 
for performing an ultrasonic inspection of nose gear actuator fitting 
part number (P/N) 92209-01101-101.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 
92-32-004, Basic Issue, dated January 30, 2015 (ASB). The ASB describes 
procedures for conducting a visual inspection of the nose landing gear 
(NLG) airframe fitting assembly and an ultrasonic inspection by 
following the procedures in UT 5077.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 80 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour:
    <bullet> Replacing a wheel axle P/N 2392-2334-001 requires 2 work-
hours and required parts cost $22,000, for a cost per helicopter of 
$22,170.

[[Page 48362]]

    <bullet> Replacing a main landing gear (MLG) or NLG threaded hinge 
pin P/N 2392-2311-003 requires 1 work-hour and required parts cost 
$3,800, for a cost per helicopter of $3,885.
    <bullet> Replacing a NLG cylinder P/N 2392-4006-005 requires 1 
work-hour and required parts cost $27,200, for a cost per helicopter of 
$27,285.
    <bullet> Replacing a NLG hinge pin P/N 2392-4312-003 requires 1 
work-hour and required parts cost $4,400, for a cost per helicopter of 
$4,485.
    <bullet> Replacing a landing gear actuator rod end P/N 2392-0876-
901 requires 1 work-hour and required parts cost $900, for a cost per 
helicopter of $985.
    <bullet> Replacing a MLG cylinder P/N 2392-2006-005 requires 2 
work-hours and required parts cost $33,100, for a cost per helicopter 
of $33,270.
    <bullet> Replacing a MLG pin outboard P/N 2392-2312-003 requires 1 
work-hour and required parts cost $4,300, for a cost per helicopter of 
$4,385.
    <bullet> Replacing a MLG bulkhead left-hand side P/N 92201-08111-
105, -107, and -109 requires 70 work-hours and required parts cost 
$12,550, for a cost per helicopter of $18,500.
    <bullet> Replacing a MLG bulkhead right-hand side P/N 92201-08111-
106, -108, and -110 requires 70 work-hours and required parts cost 
$12,550, for a cost per helicopter of $18,500.
    <bullet> Inspecting the NLG airframe fitting assembly P/N 92209-
01101-041 requires 8 work-hours, and required parts cost is minimal, 
for a cost of $680 per helicopter and $54,400 for the U.S. fleet, per 
inspection cycle.
    <bullet> If required, replacing a NLG actuator fitting P/N 92209-
01101-101 requires 70 work-hours, and required parts cost $10,000, for 
a cost per helicopter of $15,950.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that a regulatory distinction is required, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-14-03, Amendment 39-18947 (82 FR 34838, July 27, 2017), and adding 
the following new AD:

2018-19-09 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky): Amendment 39-
19409; Docket No. FAA-2018-0439; Product Identifier 2016-SW-074-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as fatigue failure of the 
landing gear. This condition could result in failure of the landing 
gear and subsequent damage to and loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-14-03, Amendment 39-18947 (82 FR 34838, 
July 27, 2017).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 30, 2018.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight, remove from service any part that has 
accumulated the number of landing cycles listed in Table 1 to 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. Thereafter, remove from service any 
part before accumulating the number of landing cycles listed in 
Table 1 to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. For purposes of this AD, a 
landing cycle is counted anytime the helicopter lifts off into the 
air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing 
and regardless of whether the engine is shut down. If the number of 
landing cycles in unknown, multiply the number of hours time-in-
service by 4.5 to determine the number of landing cycles.

                                           Table 1 to Paragraph (f)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Part name                   Part No. (P/N)                        Life limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main landing gear (MLG) wheel axle......      2392-2334-001  22,300 landing cycles.
MLG or nose landing gear (NLG) threaded       2392-2311-003  26,100 landing cycles.
 hinge pin.
NLG cylinder............................      2392-4006-005  26,300 landing cycles.
NLG hinge pin...........................      2392-4312-003  26,700 landing cycles.
Landing gear actuator rod end...........      2392-0876-901  41,700 landing cycles.
MLG cylinder............................      2392-2006-005  76,300 landing cycles.
MLG pin outboard........................      2392-2312-003  50,300 landing cycles.

[[Page 48363]]

 
MLG bulkhead (left-hand side)...........    92201-08111-105  58,400 landing cycles.
                                            92201-08111-107
                                            92201-08111-109
MLG bulkhead (right-hand side)..........    92201-08111-106  58,400 landing cycles.
                                            92201-08111-108
                                            92201-08111-110
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) For helicopters with 31,600 or more landing cycles and an 
NLG airframe fitting assembly P/N 92209-01101-041 installed, before 
further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,989 
landing cycles:
    (i) Using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each 
bushing (P/N 92209-01101-102 and P/N 92209-01101-103) and all 
visible surfaces of mating lug fittings adjacent to each bushing for 
fretting, corrosion, wear, and scratches. If there is fretting, 
corrosion, wear, or a scratch more than 0.0005 inch deep, replace 
the NLG airframe fitting assembly before further flight.
    (ii) Ultrasonic inspect each NLG actuator fitting P/N 92209-
01101-101 in accordance with Sikorsky Ultrasonic Inspection 
Technique No. UT 5077, Revision 0, dated July 25, 2014 (UT 5077), 
except you are not required to report to or contact Sikorsky. If 
there are any anomalies or suspect indications, replace the NLG 
actuator fitting before further flight.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD: A copy of UT 5077 is 
attached to Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 92-32-
004, Basic Issue, dated January 30, 2015.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: Dorie Resnik, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 
(781) 238-7693; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 92-32-004, Basic 
Issue, dated January 30, 2015, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact your 
local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service 
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email 
[email protected]. Operators may also log on to 
the Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may 
review this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3200 Main Landing 
Gear and 3220 Nose Landing Gear.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 11, 2017 (82 FR 34838, July 27, 2017).
    (i) Ultrasonic Inspection Technique No. UT 5077, Revision 0, 
dated July 25, 2014.

    Note 2 to paragraph (j)(3)(i): Ultrasonic Inspection Technique 
No. UT 5077, Revision 0, dated July 25, 2014, is an attachment to 
Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 92-32-004, Basic 
Issue, dated January 30, 2015, which is not incorporated by 
reference.

    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) For Sikorsky service information identified in this AD, 
contact your local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's 
Service Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 
Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-
416-4299; email [email protected]. Operators may 
also log on to the Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com.
    (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 12, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20488 Filed 9-24-18; 8:45 am]
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